Hardware Time Base Distribution for Precise Event Timestamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processing systems, such as micro-controllers in automotive applications, face challenges in synchronizing operations across different components due to the lack of a precise and efficient time reference distribution, leading to delays and inaccuracies in real-time operations.
Innovation Solution
A processing system with a time reference circuit that generates a system time signal and a time base distribution circuit, allowing for programmable time resolution and synchronization across multiple circuits, enabling precise time stamping of events directly at a hardware level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a time reference circuit is implemented to generate system time signals, then time synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the time reference circuit, time base distribution circuit, and timestamp generation functionality into an integrated hardware module within the processing system. This merging approach provides precise time synchronization across multiple circuits while avoiding the complexity of separate distributed timing systems by consolidating timing functions into a unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The time reference circuit generates a universal system time signal that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides time bases for various circuits, enables timestamping of events, and supports synchronization across the entire processing system. This multi-functional approach improves time precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If hardware-level time stamping is implemented, then time measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based time stamping mechanisms with a dedicated hardware time base distribution circuit that directly generates and distributes time bases to multiple circuits. This hardware substitution eliminates the delays and inaccuracies of software polling and processing, achieving precise time measurement while using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes for integrated circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes a digital processing unit programmable as a function of a firmware stored to a non-volatile memory and a resource connected to the digital processing unit via a communication system. The processing system also includes a time reference circuit including a first digital counter circuit to generate, in response to a clock signal, a system time signal including a plurality of bits indicative of a time tick-count, and a time base distribution circuit to generate a time base signal by selecting a subset of the bits of the system time signal, wherein the time base signal is provided to the resource. The resource detects a given event, stores the time base signal to a register in response to the event, and signals the event to the digital processing unit. The digital processing unit reads, via the communication system, the time base signal from the register.